Engineering Program Manager

Ghost Robotics•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

Ghost Robotics builds legged robots for defense, security, and industrial customers operating in environments where failure is not recoverable. The Engineering Program Manager coordinates hardware, firmware, software, verification, manufacturing, and documentation so product development programs can move from concept to fielded product on schedule. The role owns the execution framework for assigned product development programs, including the integrated schedule, risk register, dependency map, and release readiness plan. It works alongside Product Owners and Engineering Leads, who own technical decisions, to make sure decisions are visible, sequenced, and funded. This is an execution leadership role; it does not make technical decisions or directly manage engineers. The position provides leadership with clear visibility into whether programs are on track to meet their dates. The preferred location is the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Travel is 20% domestic and/or international, depending on the assigned program, and may be on short notice for periods ranging from a few days to more than a week. The role requires the ability to clear standard employment background checks and may require security clearance in the future. Physical requirements include prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer, lifting up to 50 pounds, and traveling and navigating by automobile, train, airplane, or other means. Compensation includes a competitive base, full benefits, and an equity incentive package. The company offers a flexible time-off policy and emphasizes output and collaboration with interdisciplinary functions.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience running complex engineering development programs, including integrated hardware and software.
Working fluency with integrated master schedules, critical path analysis, and formal risk management.
Experience driving a physical product through release, rather than only managing a software release train.
Ability to hold senior engineers to commitments through credibility rather than reporting lines.
Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
Ability to clear standard employment background checks; security clearance may be required in the future.
Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally, including on short notice and for trips ranging from a few days to more than a week.
Ability to lift 50 pounds and sit for prolonged periods while working on a computer.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace, defense, or complex electromechanical products.
Experience with programs following DoD or government customer cadence, including gate reviews and milestone reporting.
Hands-on experience with MS Project.
Experience with hybrid execution models in which hardware uses stage-gate and software uses sprints.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain integrated development plans for assigned programs, including milestones, critical path, dependencies, and release objectives.
Translate product priorities from Product Owners and Engineering Leads into an executable schedule for the organization.
Run the risk and issue process, surface risks early, drive mitigation, and escalate matters requiring leadership decisions.
Drive release readiness across engineering, manufacturing, software release management, technical documentation, training, and field support.
Track development budgets against plan and flag cost, schedule, or resource impacts early.
Facilitate program reviews and readiness gates, and close action items.
Deliver monthly program health reporting to executive leadership covering progress, schedule, budget, risks, and pending decisions.
Find and remove blockers preventing engineering from shipping.